Full Metal Fashion

Most people don’t think of fashion when they hear the words “heavy metal.” However, you wouldn’t know it if you took a page from this fall’s hottest designers. From coppery sequined coats to gilded evening gowns, this season’s full metal trend is fast proving that—at least as far as the fashion world is concerned—everything that glitters is gold.

The first page of Diane Von Furstenberg’s Fall 2010 catalog says it all. The model in a metallic tweed blazer. The gold link charm bracelet. The attitude. Of course, DVF isn’t the only fashion maven on a heavy metal kick—labels from BCBG to Armani Prive have each added their own trendsetting interpretations to the mix.

What separates this elegant-yet-edgy look from the monochrome mash-ups of the late 70s and early 80s? Dimension. Thanks to advances in fiber technology, textile manufacturers are now able to gracefully interweave synthetic metallic elements into natural fabrics and blends. The result is a more refined look that favors tasteful, multi-textural embellishments over the one-tone geometric blocks of yore.

Of course, no metallic ensemble would be complete without a dazzling makeup look to match. Enter Pür Minerals’ Earthly Treasures collection. Reading the runway atmosphere like a book, Pür has created the perfect color complement in precious metal hues of sun-kissed bronze and copper clay. Again, texture takes center stage, with masterfully balanced, multidimensional looks for eyes and lips—proof that this season, beauty favors the bold.

Summer (in the Nude)

Summer is in full swing, and even though most people here in the ATL are complaining about the heat, I love this season. It is my favorite time of year by far. Maybe I’m just used to the temperature and humidity, since I’ve lived here most my life, but the thick, warm air feels great to me, like the atmosphere is a down comforter wrapped around me. It may flatten my hair a smidge, but I’ll still take it over winter!

My skin always looks and feels great at this time of year, with a healthy glow, and I become a cosmetic nudist, especially on the weekends. It’s like a vacation for my face after a long week of work and eyeliner (though I wear a lot less make-up at work this time of year, too). It’s therapeutic to waltz about with a naked face, knowing without all the bells and whistles I still look and feel wonderful.  The humidity, outdoor activities and extra do-it-yourself projects make applying all those lovely colors seem pointless. They will just melt away in the heat of the day.

While I claim to be a cosmetic nudist, that doesn’t mean I have nothing on my face. I still have  to protect and care for my skin, especially if I want it to look and feel this good in the future. I   wear a moisturizer with SPF, like Day Complex, and if I’m going to be out in the sun, I most definitely use a sunscreen. If I do have a blemish or two, or if I just want to lock-in the moisture and reduce shine, I’ll use a powder brush to lightly dust a fine layer of 4-in-1 on my  face. The stuff is just too great not to use, even on a naked day.  A carefree look can be empowering and fun, but remember to take care of that skin you’re in. A fresh face is beautiful, but sun damage and dry skin can spoil this simple pleasure. 

Eyes that Defy Time

Body language experts know that the best way to smoke out a lie is to follow the fibber’s eyes. Avoid direct eye contact and odds are you’ve got something to hide. However, you don’t have to be a detective to tell if someone’s lying about their age. The thinnest place on the skin, the delicate eye area is where the first signs of aging appear. However, with a little prevention and some serious skin fitness, you can shape up your eyes enough to fool even the toughest examination.

Sun Safety First

Dermatologists know that the sun is the single biggest cause of premature aging. This makes regular SPF protection essential, especially when it comes to the vulnerable eye area. Keep eye lines and wrinkles at bay with an age-defying SPF moisturizer like Day Complex SPF 20. This peptide-rich formula not only keeps skin sun safe, but also combats the effects of lost collagen, which can leave eyes looking hollow or stressed. Be sure to apply each morning, under your eyes and just below your eyebrows.

Eye Serum Smarts

Because under eye skin has relatively few sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, it can easily dry with age. While compensating with a heavy eye cream would seem logical, over-hydrating can actually cause puffiness, trading one problem for another. Steer clear of thick moisturizers and opt for a lightweight serum like Tone Up instead. A clinically tested powerhouse of emollients and antioxidants, this all-in-one skin fitness formula is the pür solution for puffy eyes, dark circles and crow’s feet.

True Blue

I’m a girl who likes experimenting with color, and being the adventurous, cosmetic connoisseur I am, I love to dabble in blue magic. What a great way to make a statement on your face, am I right? On Monday I wore my favorite, blue and teal, leopard print sweater. I can never wear the garment without accessorizing my eyelids to match, and I assure you I did not look tacky or gaudy. I understand many women’s fear of blue eye shadow, terrified they will end-up looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, but be not afraid, ladies. With the right shades and techniques, you’ll no longer have the blues for blue.

The two biggest mistakes women make when attempting a blue lid is choosing the wrong hue and applying it too liberally. Though a peacock effect or dramatic, blue, smoky eye can be stunningly gorgeous, the adage “less is more” is a good rule of thumb for everyday use, especially if you’re not yet comfortable with wearing bright colors.

I absolutely love Pur Mineral’s Blue Lazulite eye shadow, a lovely, glistening shade of powder blue. Blue Lazulite is a very versatile shadow, its intensity ranging from a subtle cerulean shimmer to an intense, eye-popping, sparkly sky blue. Simply dust the powder on your lids one layer at a time, until you obtain your desired look. Play with the color and have fun! To create a darker look for evenings, I like to add a little Graphite eye shadow to the outer corner of my eye and blend it with the Blue Lazulite. I also use the Midnight Sapphire Mineral Eye Defining Pencil. You can pair it with blue shadow or rock it out in place of your typical brown or black liner, just to add a hint of blue to your lash line.

Once you’ve faced your fear of blue eye shadow, the sky is the limit for your color palette! Still afraid to take the colorful plunge? Test out your wildest eye ideas (or eye-deas, if you like puns as much as I do) with Pür Minerals’ Virtual Looks. For even more detailed instructions on how to utilize bold eye shades without going overboard, take a few tips from my buddy Tamra in her Pür Minerals instructional video, Color Pop, and let your hesitancy fade with each awesome shade!

Catch the Pür Summer Buzz

As we gear up for sun-soaked months ahead, we’re turning up the heat with some of the hottest products around. And from coast to coast, our fans are taking notice. Here’s a glimpse at what Pür faves have got beauty junkies nationwide raving.

Painted Ladies
Beauty reviewer and self-professed “lip gloss fiend” Sheila praised our Pout Plumping Lip Gloss in Spiced Barite, saying, “The texture of the gloss is not what you would traditionally expect — it’s not sticky or tacky feeling at all! I would describe the feel as a liquid lipstick, and was impressed by how it wore throughout the day. Barely budged through drinking, snacking and doing lots of talking! The color, Spiced Barite, is a rosey pink with a silver undertone, and just gorgeous. Based on the color alone, it has earned a place in my regular gloss rotation.”

ALLOY.com
The beauty staff at ALLOY can’t get enough of our 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup and Colour Correcting Primers. In an article titled “Mineral Foundation Breakdown,” they praised our award-winning duo, saying, “There are different primers to meet your needs (anti-redness, anti-blotchiness, etc.) and the powder foundation adds the flawless touch. This is excellent for girls who want or need full coverage. It's an excellent concealer and looks really great on camera.”

Associated Content
Beauty blogger Emily LOVES our Hot Rocks and Mineral Shea Butter Lipsticks—enough to call them out in her article, “Best Beauty Products of 2010.” Commenting on the Hot Rocks, she said, “This is the coolest blush you have ever used! It literally looks like rocks, and you just swirl your brush in there and apply.” She also revealed that while she normally doesn't wear lipstick, when she does, it's Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick all the way. “It goes on so smooth and feels great on your lips. I like the Rose Garnet and Sheer Citrine.”

Hold It Right There!

Ever got your look just the way you want it only to have Mother Nature rain on your parade? You are not alone. Between the heat and humidity, summer can be pretty unforgiving on hair and makeup. If only there was a way to freeze everything, right at that point of perfection. Say hello to Fulvic Mineral Mist.

Loaded with over 70 essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, Pür Minerals’ multitasking face and body mist may be the closet thing out there to a beauty pause button. In addition to rapidly rehydrating the skin, this unique formula helps set makeup and tame frizzy hair in an instant. Lightweight and non-greasy, Fulvic Mineral Mist won’t clog pores or weigh down skin or hair, making it perfect for all skin types. Keep it in the fridge for a quick cool down after a hot summer day or in your bag for an on-the-go pick-me-up.

"I spray this over my 4-in-1 foundation if my face feels dry during the day. It doesn't change your makeup and you instantly feel cool and hydrated. On a hot day or if you are having a 'hot flash,' it feels fantastic."
—Pür Fan, Nanaimo, BC

¡Caliente!

I absolutely love spicy food! It all started when I was working for a Cajun restaurant during college. I just couldn’t get enough of the tingly heat that jambalaya, gumbo and those sinful shrimp and grits had to offer. My spicy love affair continues to this day with Thai curry dishes, hot salsas, sushi with wasabi, oysters covered with horseradish, and of course, I add hot sauce to pretty much anything. If you can take the heat, hot peppers, curry powders and horseradish can inspire great recipes. These natural hot shots can add zing and zest to your diet, and they are also a great way to spice-up your meal planning!

Skin Benefits Of Peppers and Chilies
Hot peppers, like habañero, jalapeño, chili, cayenne and serrano, can vary in heat, but they all have daring and delectable benefits. Chilies and peppers are packed with vitamins A and C, and nowadays, Vitamin C is used for more than a case of the sniffles! It helps form collagen and aids in skin repair and healing. Vitamin C also fights free radicals, byproducts of metabolized cells, and it helps guard against ultraviolet rays. Vitamin A restores moisture to dry skin (A deficiency will make skin flakey!), and it also brightens, lightens and reduces sags and discoloration.    

What makes these fiery peppers so spicy is a component called capsaicin, and it brings more than scorching flavor to the table. The hotness  of a pepper is measured by the amount of capsaicin it contains on The Scoville Scale, ranging from low-heat pimentos, to jalapeños in the middle, to habañeros on the super spicy side. Capsaicin is a natural anti-inflammatory and blood thinner, which is helpful when you’re retaining water or feeling swollen. Capsaicin can help fight blood clots and improve circulation, and improved blood flow makes you look and feel healthy and beautiful. It makes your body release endorphins and is also used as a natural pain reliever. Adding peppers to your diet can increase your metabolism and suppress appetite, and I don’t know about you; but I love anything that is tasty and helps me stay fit!

Healing Properties of Curries and Horseradish
Curries are used in Asian cuisines across the continent, and they are absolutely delicious! Curries are actually a blend of many different spices, like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and black pepper. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, and ironically, these spices are used for stomach troubles and good digestion.  Turmeric, known for its yellow color, is great on eggs and is found in mustards. It has healing properties and helps out damaged skin. Cinnamon is a natural antioxidant that can reduce stress and fight skin infections. Black pepper adds a great kick to many dishes around the world, and it helps break down fat cells. Cumin is also very popular in Middle Eastern and South American dishes, and this ingredient boosts digestion power and is a great source of iron.

Horseradish has to be one of my favorite condiments. I can’t get enough of that blazing prickle in my nose when I eat it. Horseradish and its Japanese counterpart, wasabi, are roots with some serious kick. Though their flavor is intense, the heat does not linger on your tongue nearly as long as when you eat a hot pepper. The spicy sensation deteriorates quickly. Horseradish has anti bacterial properties, and it’s an expectorant, meaning it is great for chest and sinus congestion.  Horseradish and Wasabi are bursting with antioxidants, iron, calcium and vitamin C, and these roots have been used to help fight many minor infections. If horseradish by itself is too hot for you, you can find all kinds of wacky condiment mixes, like horseradish brown mustard, wasabi mayonnaise and spicy cocktail sauce. Adding some healthy excitement to your dinner plate is as easy as strolling down the spice aisle of the grocery store!  Who knew that spices could be the spice of life?

Make Every Day a Wear Red Day

While National Wear Red Day (February 5) has come and gone, you can show your continued support for women’s heart health with Pür Mineral’s Red Ruby Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick. Not only is this matte berry red shade loaded with lip-loving shea butter, aloe vera, jojoba oil, lycopene extract and vitamin E but it also helps to make a difference—with 75% of the proceeds donated to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement.

Make a purchase, make a difference and take a stand against heart disease—the no. 1 killer of women in the U.S.

Give Mom a Gift that (Really) Keeps on Giving

May is a busy month. With school wrapping up, vacations being planned (or taken) and warm weather to enjoy, the days have a funny way of flying by. If you’re one of the millions who let Mother’s Day slip under the radar until now, fear not. Pür Minerals has got your last-minute gift alternative to the ubiquitous floral bouquet.

This May 9, give her a gift that really keeps on giving with Pür Minerals Auto Ship. Simply find her favorite products on purminerals.com, click on the Auto Ship icon to sign her up and we’ll do the rest. She’ll get her Pür favorites shipped right to her door every two months and you’ll save up to 20% (not to mention that eleventh hour trip to the mall).

Not sure what to get? Our award-winning 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup is a sure winner. Available in ten true shades for all skin tones, this multitasking miracle makeup combines her foundation, concealer, finishing powder and SPF 15 in one perfectly portable compact. Don’t forget to include the Chisel Brush for perfect application every time.

Because moms love beauty—pür and simple.

Pür Minerals Celebrates Earth Day

April 22, 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day set aside to raise awareness of the beauty and fragility of the world we all share and address the myriad concerns that threaten it daily. As cities worldwide “go green” with energy-saving initiatives and eco-friendly events, Pür proudly joins the cause, today and every day.

Doing Our Part
Over the past few years, you may (or may not) have noticed that fewer of our products come to you in cardboard cartons (which are inevitably thrown away after opening). Fewer cartons are just part of a larger paper-saving program we’ve adopted at Pür that has helped save hundreds of trees.

How You Can Help
In addition to turning off lights and water when not in use, here are a few simple tips and tricks to reducing your global footprint:

Unplug unused appliances
Cell phone chargers and power adaptors are energy drainers—even when they’re not in use! Keeping them unplugged will help reduce your “phantom energy” consumption.

Use less water
Taking shorter showers and turning off the water while you brush your teeth are easy everyday ways to conserve this precious resource.

Upgrade your light bulbs
Swap out your old incandescent bulbs for newer compact fluorescents (which use about 75 percent less energy) and watch your footprint—and your energy bill—shrink.

Recycle, recycle, recycle
Many of our plastic bottles are recyclable. Just look for the recyclable symbol on the bottom of your skin care favorites like Fulvic Mineral Mist and Mineral Wash.